The amniotic band syndrome as a cause of anencephaly. Report of a case.

The gross and microscopic features of a 28-week-old stillborn female infant with severe cranial, facial, and cerebral malformations due to amniotic bands are described. The structure of the cerebral remnant is similar to that found in dysraphic anencephaly, but collateral evidence of amniotic band can usually be found. It is important to differentiate between the two conditions, since unlike neural tube defects, anencephaly due to amniotic band does not imply a risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies.